160 athletes tackle triathlon in Sullivan

The first when more than 100 athletes plunged into the waters of Lake Superior to begin the first stage of a three-part endurance test that included a bike ride and a run.

The second after weary runners crossed the finish line at Bethel Woods, caught their breath and shared their assessment of the event, which allowed athletes to compete in two categories: the Olympic distance and the longer half Ironman distance.

"Brutal course, but awesome," said 35-year-old Tim Felegie, of Weston, Pa., who competed in the Olympic distance and crossed the finish line first.

A feeling Doug Rice knows well, having biked from Monticello to the Delaware River for a swim before biking back. His memories of the challenge and beauty of a route flush with rolling hills and open fields remained after he moved to New Jersey and began organizing triathlons.

On Saturday he fulfilled a dream to hold a race in Sullivan, bringing 160 athletes together for the inaugural Woodstock Triathlon Festival.

The race was organized by New Jersey-based Split Second Racing, which Rice founded. It is the first of what he plans to be an annual event.

"Unbelievable course," Rice said. "And the people in this area are the most welcoming I've ever seen."

Gorgeous weather shepherded a day that began with a swim in Lake Superior and then shifted to a bike ride through parts of western Sullivan County and then on to Bethel Woods. There everyone changed into running shoes for a foot race that wound back to Bethel Woods.

Those choosing the Olympic distance swam 1.5 kilometers and then biked 28 miles before finishing with a 6.2-mile run. The half distance required a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.

For Kathryn Flodquist, a physical therapist from Plymouth, Conn., it was the first race of the year for someone who has been racing for 15 years.

Local residents also competed. Jared Kaufman of Monticello entered his first triathlon in August 2012. His next one will be in July in New York City. Saturday's route he called one of the most scenic he has ever been on.

"You see everything," he said. "The only thing I didn't see today was a bald eagle."

lsparks@th-record.com

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